Medics battled to save Lydia (From York Press)

Medics battled to save Lydia Bishop

10:20am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

NURSERY staff and paramedics battled in vain to save a three-year-old girl after she was found on a slide with a rope around her neck, an inquest has heard.

York coroner Donald Coverdale said a number of children went to play outside at York College Day Nursery some time after 2pm on September 17, and it was believed that Lydia Bishop – whose first day it was at the nursery – wanted to use the slide.

“There came a time when a nursery worker spotted Lydia unresponsive on the slide, and there was a rope which had been attached to play equipment which was around her neck,” he said, opening the inquest into Lydia’s death yesterday.

“I understand that staff immediately gave what help they could, administering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until paramedics arrived,” he said.

The coroner said resuscitation attempts continued after the paramedics had taken Lydia to York Hospital, but it proved impossible to revive her, and it was confirmed at 3.27pm that she had died.

A consultant pathologist, Dr Nigel Cooper, later carried out a post mortem examination and said the provisional cause of death was “pressure on the neck.’”

Mr Coverdale said further extensive inquiries were being carried out by a number of agencies, in particular North Yorkshire Police, and he would await the outcome before progressing to a full inquest. He adjourned the hearing to a later date.

“My thoughts are, of course, with Lydia’s parents following their tragic loss and with their three-year-old daughter who has died this way,” he added.

The nursery is to remain closed until early next month, while investigations continue.